The frontman was a guest on WAAF in Massachusetts (video below) while Metallica hit the Northeast for the first portion of their North American leg of the 'WorldWired' tour in support of last year's standout effortHardwired... To-Self Destruct. Speaking about Cornell's passing, Hetfield began, "Well, it does make you hug those around you, for sure — bandmates, family that's out here, family at home. It makes you realize that, you know, there is a darkness that anyone and everyone can find and feel that they're trapped in."

Hetfield, who has battled darkness of his own, entering rehab for alcohol abuse in 2002, continued, "And when you're there — and at least I know the depth of my darkness at times — it is difficult when you're in that space to even fathom that there's someone there that can help you or has been through that before. Sometimes you're at such a loss. I can't… obviously can't explain what he was going through, but we all have our darknesses. He then implored listeners, "And check in with each other — check in with each other. Let each other know how you're doing."

Calling the loss of Cornell "a sad story," the Metallica frontman noted, "There's a lot of sad stories recently, especially in the grunge world, losing a lot of people." Adding in the personal effect Lemmy's death had on the band, Hetfield realized, "It just makes us feel even more grateful to be out here doing what we're doing."